Bowling score sheet with slides for the recording of composite scores



J 1964 E. L. DOPIERALSKI 1 BOWLING SCORE SHEET WITH SLIDES FOR THE RECORDING OF COMPOSITE SCORES Filed Sept. 11, 1961 m M w W EDMUND L. DOP/ERALSK/ A TTORNE Y United States Patent 3,119,616 BOWLING SCURE SHEET WiTH SLIDES FOR THE RECQRDING 9F CGMPOSHTE SCURES Edmund L. Dopieralski, 26 Angelus Drive, Rochester 22, NY. Filed Sept. 11, 1961. Ser. No. 137,355 4 Claims. (Cl. 273-54) This invention relates to score sheets for scoring bowling games and, more particularly, to a score sheet that provides, in addition to the conventional individual score, a composite score for each contestant which is arrived at by taking the individual score of a predetermined one of the other contestants in a certain frame and assigning the score of that contestant in the same frame to the contestant in question. The total composite score, which is actually composed of scores of the contestant in question as well as other contestants, gives a person of lesser bowling ability the opportunity of competing on equal terms with a contestant of much greater ability when they obviously could not do so if the games were decided solely in accordance with a conventional individual score system.

When people of widely varying bowling abilities, for example, men vs. women or adults vs. children, desire to go bowling, the problem immediately arises of how to compensate for the disparity in bowling ability without robbing the game of the essential ingredient necessary for any successful contest, i.e., competition. In the majority of such situations, it would not be possible to assign handicaps since some of the contestants have probably never bowled in any established league so as to establish an average which would form some basis for computing a handicap. It is therefore necessary to score the contestant in accordance with a different system so that it is possible for any of the contestants to win in spite of the disparity in bowling ability of the contestants.

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide a new and improved system for the scoring of bowling contests.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a bowling score sheet which facilitates the scoring of a bowling contest in which the winning contestant is determined by a composite score.

It is yet a fur her object of my invention to provide a new and improved bowling score sheet which facilitates the keeping of a bowling score in accordance with conventional individual scoring techniques and in addition allows the keeping of a composite score, one assigned to each contestant, thereby creating more interest in a bowling contest in which at least some of the players do not have established handicaps.

These and other objects of my invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds, and features and novelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out in particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a score card partially broken away to disclose the details of construction; and

FIG. 2 is an end view of the score card of FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 1, score card 1 is composed of upper sheet 2 which extends from left-hand edge 3 to right-hand edge 4 of the score card. Sheet 2 is supported by base member 5 which has vertical channels cut therein to accept slides 6 which are slidably mounted therein. The upper ends of slides 6 contain numerals 7 which indicate the frame while numerals 8 arranged along edge 3 of sheet 2 are the numbers assigned to the contestant who enters his name in the associated space.

Referring now to P16. 2, transfer means 9 is provided by having carbon paper underlie only the individual scoring boxes 11 and 12, as indicated by the dotted line (FIG. 1), for reasons which will become apparent hereinafter.

In accordance with my invention, a complete set of ten slides is provided prior to the start of the bowling game with the particular set of slides selected for use being determined by the number of players. Different sets of slides are available for accommodating two through ten bowlers. It is desirable that the correct set of slides be utilized in order that the correct transfer of individual scores takes place so as to obtain a proper composite score for each contestant.

In accordance with another feature of my invention, the name column of the score sheet is provided with color coding which is keyed to the number of players listed in the name column to aid in the selection of the correct set of slides for the number of contestants. When the correct set of slides are used, the color coding on both the upper and lower exposed portions of slides 6 will correspond with the color coding in the name column.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, applicant has selected the slides which bear numerals for properly transferring individual scores for three contestants. After having selected the correct slides for the number of contestants involved, these slides are placed into the channels in base member 5. Sheet 2, which may be conveniently removable from base member 5, can be raised to expose the channels in the base member so that the slides may be conveniently slipped into place. The channels are then all aligned in their normal position as illustrated in FIG. 1 and then sheet 2 is placed over base 5 and slides 6 in the proper position so that the numerals are all Visible through windows 13 which are located in the upper lefthand corner of each scoring space 14 for each frame. The proper position of sheet 2 with respect to base 5 may be provided in any convenient way; for example, pins may be provided in base 5 which are received in holes of sheet 2. However, to simplify the drawings, the means to provide the proper registry of base '5 and sheet 2 have not been illustrated.

The numerals which appear in windows :13 correspond with the positions in which contestants are bowling and consequently they correspond with numerals 8. Thus, in the first frame, assuming we have three bowlers, each bowler will enter his score in the conventional manner with the number of pins knocked down with the first ball being entered in frame 1 in box It. It is noted that it is not necessary to move slide number 1 in the first frame since the numeral 1 in window 13 indicates that the slide is in the proper position for registering the individual score for contestants 1, 2 and 3 without necessitating movement of the slide from its normal position. It will thus be noted that due to the presence of carbon paper 9 under boxes 11 and 12, each of the three contestants individual scores will also be entered in the corresponding boxes 11a and 12a on the slide for the first frame.

Now before scoring the score of player number 1 in the second frame, the slide for the second frame is advanced until the numeral 1 appears opposite player number ls name. When so positioned, contestant number ls score is entered in boxes 11 and 12 opposite his name in the conventional manner carrying forward the running total also in the conventional manner. It can be seen that the score of contestant number 1 registered upon sheet 2 will be his normal individual score while the composite score entered by transfer means 9 onto the slide for the second frame will be credited at the end of the contest to contestant number 3. This result is accomplished since the composite score is not kept as a running total as is the normal individual score. The composite score, which is arrived at by returning all the slides to their normal position indicated in FIG. 1, may be obtained at the end of the tenth frame by removing sheet 2 to expose the slides. The total composite score for each contestant may then be obtained from the composite scores on the slides by computing in the conventional manner from left to right across each horizontal row of the slides so that the final composite scores are entered at the end of each row on the tenth slide. It is noted that since the transfer means 9 does not underlie the area of scoring spaces 14 which normally carries the runing total, there is no interference between the keeping of the normal running totals for the individual score upon sheet 2 and the later totalizing of the composite score upon the slides.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the name spaces identified by numerals 4, 5 and 6 would be used in the conventional manner to score the second game bowled by the three contestants and reference to the numerals exposed in Windows 13 opposite these numerals indicates that the player thereafter moves the slide of the frame in which he is then bowling so as to expose his then-assigned number opposite his name before marking his score. Thus, applicants invention for party bowling does not interfere with the normal scoring and thus allows the scoring of more than one game upon a score sheet when five or less contestants are involved.

As was hereinbefore pointed out, color coded areas 17, 18 and 19 may be conveniently applied in the name column of sheet 2 as a reminder to the contestants of the color of the slides they should be utilizing. In the illustrated embodiment, it can be seen that pink slides are provided for three contestants while yellow slides are provided for four contestants and blue slides are provided for five contestants. Applicant has not illustrated the coding for two contestants since normally they would not be interested in a composite score and for the purposes of simplicity, applicant has omitted the color coding for six to ten players.

In accordance with the illustrated embodiment of my invention, since the slides illustrated were for the composite scoring of games utilizing three contestants, it will be noted that during the first three frames, each contestant will have received one score from each of the other contestants as well as one of his own scores for the first three frames of his composite score. Thereafter, this same pattern repeats for the fourth, fifth and sixth frames as well as the seventh, eighth and ninth frames. It will be noted that the repetitive pattern carries into the tenth frame which constitutes a duplicate of the first frame. However, it will be recognized that the particular pattern that I have selected for exchanging scores for the purpose of obtaining composite scores can be rearranged without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention. However, it is felt to be desirable that some definite pattern be established and thereafter carried forth throughout each group of slides which are individually assigned to a particular number of contestants. It is not felt to be necessary to discuss the particular numbering system desired for each set of slides used-for 4 through bowlers since it is felt to be obvious that with four contestants the pattern selected for exchanging scores in the first four frames will be repeated in frames 5-8. Frames 9 and 10 will duplicate frames 1 and 2.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that applicant has devised a method for scoring a bowling contest as well as the apparatus for carrying this out which will stimulate the competitive spirit of the bowling contestants without necessitating the utilization of established handicaps or arbitrarily assigned handicaps.

Various changes or modifications in addition to those set forth herein may be made without departing from the spirit of this invention. For example, it is obvious that the same technique can be utilized in the scoring of golf without departing from the spirit of this invention Whose scope is commensurate with the following claims.

What I claim is:

l. A score card for a plurality of contestants engaged in a contest in which the final-individual score of each contestant determines the individual score winning contestant and the final-composite score of each contestant determines the composite score winning contestant, the final-individual score for each contestant being the sum of the individual scores for each of the plurality of fixed portions of the total contest, the final-composite score for each contestant being the sum of the individual score for fixed portions of the contest and individual scores of the other contestants assigned in sequence in other fixed portions of the contest, comprising the combination of a score sheet having a first vertical side column for arranging in columnar fashion the name of each of the n contestants, n indicia located in said first vertical side column, each of said indicia being individually associated with a contcstants name, said sheet being divided into vertical columns which correspond to the N fixed portions of the contest which make up the total contest, each of said N vertical columns being divided into n scoring spaces for receiving the individual scores of each contestant in spaces which are in horizontal alignment with the spaces for the contestants names, each of said scoring spaces having apertures therein, N slides, means for supporting said slides so that each is independently movable longitudinally beneath one of said N vertical columns, each of said slides bearing indicia corresponding with each of said 12 indicia, said It indicia being spaced on each of said slides to be simultaneously viewable one through each of said apertures in said scoring spaces, and means to transfer a score entered in each of said scoring spaces onto the underlying slide.

2. The combination of claim 1 further comprising a second vertical side column which is adjacent the Nth column for entering the total individual score of each contestant in horizontal alignment with the contcstants name.

3. The combination of claim 2 in which said supporting means comprises a base member having N channels therein for slidably holding said N slides, and said score sheet is attached to said base member so as to be movable to expose the underlying slides.

4. The combination of claim 3 in which N equals 10 to correspond with the ten frames of a bowling contest, and each of said scoring spaces comprises an area for scoring the pins scored in the particular frame and another area for keeping a running total of the score, said means for transferring the score to said slides being associated only with the area for entering the pins scored in the particular frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,508,067 Reyes Sept. 9, 1924 2,359,253 Silano Sept. 26, 1944 2,610,792 Kaufman Sept. 16, 1952 2,747,895 Hall May 29, 1956 

1. A SCORE CARD FOR A PLURALITY OF CONTESTANTS ENGAGED IN A CONTEST IN WHICH THE FINAL-INDIVIDUAL SCORE OF EACH CONTESTANT DETERMINES THE INDIVIDUAL SCORE WINNING CONTESTANT AND THE FINAL-COMPOSITE SCORE OF EACH CONTESTANT DETERMINES THE COMPOSITE SCORE WINNING CONTESTANT, THE FINAL-INDIVIDUAL SCORE FOR EACH CONTESTANT BEING THE SUM OF THE INDIVIDUAL SCORES FOR EACH OF THE PLURALITY OF FIXED PORTIONS OF THE TOTAL CONTEST, THE FINAL-COMPOSITE SCORE FOR EACH CONTESTANT BEING THE SUM OF THE INDIVIDUAL SCORE FOR FIXED PORTIONS OF THE CONTEST AND INDIVIDUAL SCORES OF THE OTHER CONTESTANTS ASSIGNED IN SEQUENCE IN OTHER FIXED PORTIONS OF THE CONTEST, COMPRISING THE COMBINATION OF A SCORE SHEET HAVING A FIRST VERTICAL SIDE COLUMN FOR ARRANGING IN COLUMNAR FASHION THE NAME OF EACH OF THE N CONTESTANTS, N INDICIA LOCATED IN SAID FIRST VERTICAL SIDE COLUMN, EACH OF SAID INDICIA BEING INDIVIDUALLY ASSOCIATED WITH A CONTESTANT''S NAME, SAID SHEET BEING DIVIDED INTO VERTICAL COLUMNS WHICH CORRESPOND TO THE N FIXED PORTIONS OF THE CONTEST WHICH MAKE UP THE TOTAL CONTEST, EACH OF SAID N VERTICAL COLUMNS BEING DIVIDED INTO N SCORING SPACES FOR RECEIVING THE INDIVIDUAL SCORES OF EACH CONTESTANT IN SPACES WHICH ARE IN HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT WITH THE SPACES FOR THE 